The Real Fat Lady

Kate Smith was one very special woman. Here is her story and her
song. Guaranteed to give you ‘goose bumps’! She is the woman that is
referred to as “The Fat Lady” in the trite verbalization of “It’s not
over till the fat lady sings”. Kate Smith was born and grew up in
Columbia, Missouri! In early 1940, Kate Smith, a fiercely patriotic
American, and the biggest star on radio, was deeply worried about her
country. She asked Irving Berlin if he could give her a song that
would re-ignite the spirit of American patriotism and faith. He said
he had a song that he had written in 1917, but never used it. He
said she could have it. She sat at the piano and played it and
realized how good it was. She called Mr. Berlin and told him that she
couldn’t take this from him for nothing. So, they agreed that any
money that would be made off the song would be donated to the Boy
Scouts of America. Thanks to Kate Smith and Irving Berlin, the Scouts
have received millions of dollars in royalties. This clip is from
the movie “You’re in the Army Now”. You will see a familiar face
(near the end).

Frank Sinatra said that when Kate Smith, whom he considered the
greatest singer of his age, first sang this song on the radio, a
million guys got ‘dust’ in their eyes and had to wipe the tears the
‘dust’ caused.